Don McLean, Botanical Gardens - album review
Mr American Pie himself, Don McLean certainly has some experience with writing an album.
Although he has been quiet for the best part of the last decade, this new release is number 19 in the studio collection and he says himself it is one of his most reflective yet at 72 years young.
He came up with the idea walking around the luscious gardens spreading around Sydney Opera House. "I would dream young dreams and it was a comfort and inspiration," he says.
It looks back at his life, his own observations on love and youth, and, seemingly, some meteorology.
There are so many references to the seasons, the weather, night and day, that is feels like the weather reports have gone musical in the first segment of the record.
Despite that experience in songwriting, some of this actually feels quite cringeworthy and painful. The opening titular track for example. Talking about looking for the 'pretty young girls' feels a little uncomfortable given the current climate, but that might be a little over-harsh.
We mix his trademark country style with Americana, classic rock, folk and a dash of blues at times to give the sound a little more variation. He knows when to go in heavy with the atmospherics (When July Comes) and when to rest on the sound people know him so well for (Ain't She A Honey). The slick fingers of Don particularly impress in the latter track, the cheeky little interludes and slide moments deftly show off his talent without making him a brash front-and-centre-type showman.
At 13 tracks it is a little draining towards its conclusion. This type of country rock pushes many tracks past the four-minute mark, and that conclusion could come a little sooner. You've Got Such Beautiful Eyes, for example, just feels unnecessary in the overall feel of the record.
But, taken individually, each track showcases Don's ear for a good guitar sound to playfully slap his lyrics along. I've Cried All The Tears That I've Had is one such example of how piano joins in to add another layer to this cooking pot of fun and morose.
Your overall feeling towards country will probably dictate your own score for this.
Rating: 6/10
Don McLean brings his vast back catalogue to Birmingham Symphony Hall on May 10.
